value of my own salvage car, is it worth it?

This is my first post, and that's a "kudos!" to everyone on here because I've found answers to many questions in prior threads. I wish the circumstances for a first post were better, but...

The car is a 2012 Prius c with 252k miles that we've owned since new. I have done everything on the maintenance schedule on time (25 oil changes myself, filters, etc.), including: last coolant flush at 222k miles, and installed the 3rd set of spark plugs at 240k. Well cared for. Underside kept clean. Stored in attached garage. Never any engine work, never a trouble code, never leaked oil. Just a really good car!

Last week my wife hit a deer on the interstate (she's fine!) and insurance declared it a total loss. No surprise, considering: two driver airbags deployed (steering wheel and knees) and given that age/mileage. The adjuster's estimate to repair is $10,800 (it's over $3,000 for restraint systems, mostly airbags). The insurance payout is $4,400, and I can buy the car back for $1,200.

I've bought a totaled car back before to use as a parts car, but that other car (2006 Mazda 5) only cost me $365. So one question is... Why is this salvaged car worth more to the insurance company? Is it the hybrid battery? If I bought back the car, could I harvest the battery and sell it to recycling? It seems possible to me that there is infrastructure that the insurance salvage system has access to that I don't.

Mechanically: My wife was able to drive it off the road. It did not leak fluids after the incident. Steering works. The valuation report shows that the transmission seems unaffected. The front end crumpled good and took out the left headlamp assembly, but I think engine, steering, and suspension are OK, based on my review of the estimate and looking it over myself.

I'm stewing over whether to buy the car back. I would not use it as a parts car; we're buying her a new car. Rebuilding it seems unlikely, but possible. I would not do that myself (time). I can talk to my body guy, and maybe he could do it for $7-8k.

More likely is reselling as a salvage car, or parting it out myself, but I can't invest a TON of time into that. I can keep it in an outbuilding, but my wife would not want it around long term, maybe a year? What are the thoughts on recuperating the $1200 cost to buy my "good" salvage car?

Thanks,
Tristan

 

I wish I had that photo to share. I wasn't thinking I'd post about this last time I saw the car, but you're right... it's in an impound lot, and I'm not sure where. Insurance moved it to their lot. I can ask about stopping by to see it, but...

There isn't really much additional to see on the driver's side, I think. The front is pushed in a good bit and the radiator is angled down (pushed further in on the high side. But I did not notice any bends or obvious cracks in the radiator (no leaks). In striking a deer, the force would have been centered higher (above the bumper) than an impact with another car. I can attach the list of items from the estimate.

 

Repair and resell isn't really a consideration. Only repair and keep, resell the salvage car, or part out. Thanks!